Running-gear for buggies.



J. P. BROWNLEE.

RUNNING GEAR FOR BUGGIES. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1911.

1,1 21,972. j v Patented Dec... 22, 1914.

[N VEN TOR HE NORRIS PETERS 50.. FHOTD-LITHQ. WASHINGTON, D. C

UNITED $TATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH P. BROWNLEE, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STUDEBAKERCORPORATION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

RUNNING-GEAR FOR BUGGIES.

Application filed November 29, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. BRoWNLnn,citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county ofSt. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulimprovements in Running- G-ear for Buggies, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in runninggear for buggies, and the like.

The invention has for its object to produce a running gear that wi l besimple in construction, and yet light in weight, and which will possessmaximum strength.

A further object is to provide a running gear or reach capable ofresisting lateral stress, but which at the same time possess greattorsional flexibility.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularlypointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating myimproved running gear. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line2*2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the torsionalflexibility.

Referring to the drawing 10 designates the front axle and 11, the rearaxle of a vehicle, connected by the reach designated as a whole by thenumeral 12. Said reach comprises two members 13, 13, having abuttingmiddle portions 14 extending longitudinally of the vehicle and united bybolts or clips 15. The rear ends of said members 13 diverge intoapproximate (shape as indicated at 16, and are secured to the rear axle11 in any suitable manner, as for instance by the clips 17, thus forminga brace. The forward ends of the bars or members 13 are secured by meansof clips 18 to the front bolster 19, which also carries the front spring20. The portions of members 13 forward of the abutting portions arestraight and diverge, as indicated at 21, but to a much less degree thanthe portions 16 and upon this divided part rides the fifth wheel 22which is secured to the front axle '10 in the usual manner. Therear-axle is braced by rods 23 extending from points near theSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

Serial No. 663,059.

ends of the axle to the middle portion of the reach, the forward ends ofsaid rods being clamped against the reach by the clips 15.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have produced a runninggear that is exceedingly simple in construction, light in weight, andyet very strong. By constructing the reach in the manner described thesame possesses sufficient rigidity to resist lateral stress, and yet byproviding the straight, slightly diverging portions 21 a maximumtorsional flexibility is provided for, thus allowing the front and rearwheels to readily adjust themselves to inequalities of a road, as willbe more readily understood from Fig. 3 of the drawing which illustratesthe front axle elevated high above the plane of the rear axle.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention, and described anoperative manner of constructing and using the same, although withoutattempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or allof the forms of its use, what I claim is An improved running gear forbuggies and the like comprising a front axle, a rear axle, a bolstercarried by the front axle, a reach comprising two members havinglongitudinally extended abutting straight middle portions secured toeach other, the rear ends of said members diverging on a compound curve,said reach being also provided with forwardly extended portionsdiverging in straight lines and to less degree than the rear portions topermit torsional flexibility, brace rods for the rear axle. clipsembracing the abutting portions of said reach members to unite them andalso connecting the forward ends of said brace rods to the straightmiddle portion of said reach, a spring resting upon said bolster, andclips for securing said reach and spring to said bolster.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH P. BROWNLEE.

Witnesses:

S. E. BURKE, JOHN F. Co'rTnR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patent Washington, D. O.

